Snow Gear?

[stoney126]

Hey all, Heading to Tahoe Next weekend for some snow shenanigans and riding some snow mobiles.
I have zero Snow gear Minus a NorthFace jacket i got with my Christmas giftcards. Im looking for some boots and snow pants. The options are endless it seems. Im not going to be snowboarding or anything but would like em to last and be comfortable with mortgaging the house. So Suggestions?

 

[roamingtimber]

Hard to go wrong with Columbia. I've got a serious gear problem, I've spent a lot on jackets, boots etc. I have better jackets than Columbia, but bang for the buck, especially if you can hit up one of their outlet stores they are hard to beat. I've got a pair of their snow boots that are waterproof, warm and have lasted a few years that I only spent $75 on. If your looking for waterproof, make sure it says omni-Tec, also ther omni-heat reflective stuff is pretty darn warm. If you're willing to spend a little more I like Outdoor Research a lot too. They're fit is a little better than Columbia or North Face. Marmot makes good stuff too. To stay dry you'll want at least a 2 layer waterproof breathable shell fabric, I perfer synthetic insulation to down because down doesn't keep you warm when it gets wet, synthetic is usually a little cheaper too. Not as lightweight or packable as down though. I could go on forever on this stuff.

 

[stoney126]

Great info, thanks. I'll check those out. Are those company's good for boots too?

 

[roamingtimber]

Neither Outdoor Research or Marmot make boots. For boots you can go one of 2 routes, waterproof hiking boots and thick socks or insulated waterproof winter boots. Waterproof hiking boots are useful year round, but your feet will probably get cold. Dedicated winter boots will be warmer, but only useful in the winter. I'm a big fan of Salomon hiking boots. For winter boots it depends on what you want to spend and how waterproof your want them to be. Boots that say waterproof, might just have a coating on them that will wear out after a few uses, if you want serious waterproofing you need something with a waterproof liner like goretex. I like my Columbia's with Omni-tec a lot. I had a pair of north face winter boots with goretex that were dry and warm but they started to fall apart after a few years. Sorrel and LL Bean both make great winter boots too. You will have to make sure your bundle up for snow mobiling, it's cold out and you're hauling ass so there will be a wind chill. I rode snowmobiles growing up, it's a ton of fun, but cold.

 

[roamingtimber]

I was thinking about this more, make sure you have good wool socks, Costco usually has a 3 pack for around $12 that's as good as anything else you will find, they have a hiking weight and an extra thick winter weight. Also go with layers for warmth, start with a set of base layers, then build from there, it will give you better movement and more versatility than trying to use just one thick insulation layer. I would go, base layer pants, hiking pants, waterproof shell pants for bottom, then base layer shirt, quarter zip fleece, puffy jacket, waterproof shell for the top. Good pair of gloves and a beany and you should be set. You could also go with a pair of gaiters to keep the snow out of your pant legs. If you layer like this you can then use all of the pieces individually throughout the year for hiking, camping, etc instead of just having a one season you can use it in. Try looking at Sierra trading post, backcountry.com/outlet and rei's outlet. If you go,to Costco, they sometimes have good quality stuff in their Costco brands for a deal too. I hope this helps.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

Warm socks and gloves are (to me) most important. Once you get out there and get moving around you won't want some stuffy coat on, you will sweat your ass off. I like to where under armour, then a T-Shirt, then a sweater/sweatshirt then finally a over coat. Remember, layers are better than just one heavy coat. I used to snowboard a LOT and this comes from experience.

 

[stoney126]

Good advice. I'll check out those websites. No rei outlets around here dang it . Will check out Costco as well.

I didn't even think of gloves and a binnie.

 

[MarkW]

Have been thinking the past several days this is something I need to start looking into. Being in FL I wear shorts and short sleeve shirts probably 325+ days out of the year. We have a overland trip coming the end of February in which part of the goal is to get some snow wheeling in. I need to figure out what cold weather gear I even have anymore and what I need to get. I don't even think I have a weeks worth of long pants, at least not ones for wearing out in the woods

@jordanbrooks is right about the layers and getting hot when your out there. Didn't some snow wheeling out in the Sierras several years back and by mid day the coat and long sleeve shirt were gone, down to just a t-shirt.

 

[gandrimp]

Sierra trading post can be good, But the stuff I have gotten from them is seconds. The wool socks I got were/are great, the carhart coat, not so great. The pockets are 2" lower than the exact same coat from a dealer. I saved nearly 100 bucks so I live with it.